Murder charges dropped against Danzig accused

Shaquan “Bam Bam” Mesquito was the catalyst for the worst mass shooting in Toronto history, a court heard Friday during his sentencing hearing.

Mesquito, a member of the Malvern Crew, pleaded guilty to four charges, including counselling two people to commit murder, which was not committed, and was sentenced to nine years less 45 months for time served for his role in the Danzig Block Party shootout that killed two innocent young people and wounded 23 others

The now 20-year-old wasn’t the triggerman at the July 16, 2012, shootout but he played a key role in the escalation of tensions that culminated in gunfire that killed Shyanne Charles, 14, and Joshua Yasay, 23.

Justice John McMahon described Danzig as “one of the worst” public gunfire incidents in Toronto’s history.

Crown attorney Tom Pittman read the agreed statement of facts that revealed the genesis of the shootout.

Mesquito attended the block party sponsored by the Galloway community, said Pittman. He came unarmed to the party held at the housing complex near Morningside Ave. and Danzig St., with the permission of an unidentified Galloway Boys associate. There is a long-standing feud between the Malvern and Galloway marked by animosity and violence.

Mesquito was kicked out of the party by an armed youth providing security, court heard.

The youth, who cannot be named, “brandished his firearm and threatened to shoot Mesquito” if he didn’t exit immediately, said Pittman.

After leaving, an enraged Mesquito warned some women who were headed to the party that they shouldn’t go because he aimed to return to the barbecue and “shoot it up.”

Mesquito “actively recruited others” to join his mission to “shoot up” the party and kill the youth who evicted him.

“It would have been an all-out gang war but luckily, no one took him up,” said McMahon. Immaturity and a foolish belief that “being disrespected entitles you to go back and kill someone,” said McMahon. “It makes no sense.”

No one answered Mesquito’s call to violence, but some security people at the party “prepared for a possible shootout,” which ultimately erupted.

Mesquito never returned to the party and wasn’t one of the three known shooters involved.

One shooter, Nahom “Gifted” Tsegazab, a reputed Galloway Boys gang member who was wounded that night, pleaded guilty last April to two counts of manslaughter and six counts of aggravated assault and was sentenced to 14 years.

“In the immediate aftermath of the gunfight, Mequito sent out messages claiming responsibility for the shooting,” said Pittman.

Dogged work by homicide Dets. Graham Gibson and Peter Trimble cleared Mesquito of the murder charges because at the time of the gunfight, Mesquito was seen on a security video in the lobby of 3847 Lawrence Ave. E., McMahon said.

Mesquito was arrested on July 27, 2012, leaving a TTC bus while carrying a loaded firearm.

“He’s a victim of his own ego. Now he has to pay the price for his immaturity,” said Tyrone Charles, grandfather of the 14-year-old Shyanne Charles.

“This sentence won’t ease the pain of never having my granddaughter, but he can use this as the first day of the rest of his life to become a productive member of society,” Tyrone Charles said outside the courtroom